Festival of Nations - Spring Performers

As spring in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee comes in at full swing and Dollywood opens its doors for it’s new season a celebration will be taking place. Dollywood’s Festival of Nations features some of the most amazing entertainers from around the world. During this month long celebration of our nations you can enjoy various types of music, food, dance and art. The 2009 show for Dollywood’s Festival of Nations will feature Le Grand Cirque as it presents it’s presentation of Imagine. You will not believe your eyes in this show with a large cast of international acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, clowns and high wire artists that will amaze and entertain each visitor in Dollywood. With great athletic abilities, extravagant costumes, colorful lighting, and breathtaking feats this show will keep you on the edge of your seat. The Le Grand Cirque is not all that Dollywood will have to offer during the Festival of Nations. Many of the other specials performers are listed below.

1. Czech Pilsen Brass Band:
This all brass band shows a talented youth group from the Czech Republic. The musical traditions from the homeland of this group will shine through their performance.

2. Jennifer Roland Band:
Jennifer Roland is originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada and she has been entertaining audiences with her energetic fiddle playing for years. She is an award-winning musician with both traditional and original compositions.

3. Keona:
An instrumental trio that creates a unique sound with a different drum … the hang drum. Keona introduces this new drum to the audience and explains that it originated in Switzerland in 2000.

4. Atahualpa:
Atahualpa bridges the gap between Dollywood and Ecuador with a rhythmic blend that represents different areas of the Andes. Audiences will enjoy this group’s mixture of South American dance songs and contemporary music.

5. Calpulli Danza Mexicana:
These are some of Mexico’s most lively dancers and musicians. Calpulli will make a great return with a brand new, expanded show for the 2009 season. Sixteen performers will join together with bright costumes and well known music of the area.

6. Dainava:
This Folk Art group that got its name from Southern Lithuanian has a unique sound and will be using instruments like the skuduciai, kankles, and skrabalai as well as some more well known instruments in the states.

7. Royal Stilt walkers of Merchtem Belgium:
This group will take the ability to entertain just a little higher, with stilts. On stilts as tall as 12 feet these performers with amaze you with everything rhythmic beat from the cloggers and musicians.

8. Zambia Vocal Group:
The Zambian Vocal Group comes from different African tribes and together have a specific sound with a great message the ties us all together. The group’s ocopella performance is filled with traditional hymns and songs.

With a month long schedule of events planned there is no bad time to make a visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to enjoy the 2009 Festival of Nations. There are some great cabins in the area so make a call today and get your vacation planning started. Cabins are going quickly and Dollywood will soon start getting busy so do not wait. Start planning your Pigeon Forge, Tennessee vacation today!

6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge

Pigeon Forge hosted their 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge Friday, February 27 2009. This community event will be held at the Pigeon Forge Community Center outdoor pool. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Untied Way of Sevier County. Unite Way is a charity organization that helps the Smoky Mountain citizens.

United Way kicks off the year with the Polar Bear Plunge as their first fundraiser. The Polar Bear Plunge is a fun way to help raise money for the for those in need. Proceeds from this event will help the police department and organizations like the Boys and Girls club. Registration for the Polar Bear Plunge will begin at 4:30 pm, followed by “the big plunge” at 5:00 pm. At the fundraiser last year jumpers hit the water at a freezing 46 degrees. Participants create their own costumes to take the big jump in. There is a wide variety of styles and colors for every costume. Each contestant is judge on their costume and the amount of dollars that they are able to raise before the event. The categories that the contestants will be judged in include; highest individual fundraiser, top city department fundraiser, top business fundraiser, and most creative costume ‘Best in Show’.

So go ahead and plan to come to next years Polar Bear Plunge in February. Giving is important and Pigeon Forge Cabin rentals believes that the open hand to give is an open heart to receive. Giving is more important that receving in life. So check out this and more organizations that you can be apart of while you are visiting the Pigeon Forge Smokey Mountains.

Mountain Quiltfest

Pigeon Forge, TN will be hosting the 15th annual Mountain Quiltfest Quilting Show. This year the dates are March 11th through the 15th. This event is perfect if you are a quilter! Join approximately 20,000 other quilting enthusiasts. There will be plenty of quilts on display and you can choose between 50+ instructional sessions from master quilters. It doesn’t matter if you’re just becoming interested in quilting because they have classes for all levels of quilters.

Online registration has already began. To register just go their host site and follow their instructions. Quiltfest is fun for all involved. You could submit your quilt into the Mountain Quiltfest Quilt Show as well. You can enter up to three quilts and there are a variety of categories you could submit your quilt(s) to. The show is open for all people, even beginners! They will be professionally judged and prizes will be given out.

Many reputable names will be teaching classes and helping you along the way. Charlotte Angotti, Nancy Odom, Nancy Prise, Louisa Smith and Annette Omelas to name a few. This is a good place to start for beginners and great for masters to show off their talent or to improve on different areas. If you’re interested in quilting this is the event for you. It will be held in Pigeon Forge this year and you will be able to experience the hospitality of the friendly locals! Be sure you have a place to stay while you’re in town for the Quiltfest. We have many Pigeon Forge cabins available ranging from one bedroom to fourteen. Bring a friend or two and create wonderful memories on yourvisit!

Pigeon Forge,TN weather

Pigeon Forge, TN has become a popular place to go on vacations. It is within driving distance for 1/3 of the country so no wonder it’s attracting so much tourism. People travel to Pigeon Forge at all times of the year and one of the most popular questions is, “What will the weather be like?”. Nobody wants to be unprepared for the weather.

If you’ll be visiting between December and February then you’ll be coming during winter weather. Whenever you hear the word “winter” most people tend to think of heavy jackets, sweaters and scarves. However, sometimes the temperature can be in the lower 70’s. Don’t let that get you down if you’re wanting winter weather though. The mountains do have snow on the tops sometimes and you could even walk out your front door and see snow on the ground. Weather in Pigeon Forge can get tricky. If you come during those months be sure you pack a heavy jacket but also leave some room in that suitcase for blouses that aren’t so heavy as well.
Springtime is a popular time for visiting. People want a Spring Break and many are starting to take their trip to the mountains as opposed to the beaches. When you hear the word “spring” don’t automatically assume you can get by with the same clothing that would work for a beach trip. The weather is all over the place between the spring months of March, April and May. Days can be warm and nights could get cool. April showers do bring May flowers so some days are rainier than others. Snow has even been known to fall in the month of March as well. Daytime temperatures can range from the mid-80’s and nights could go down as low as low-30’s. We suggest bringing a light jacket on your trip as well as jeans or pants in case you experience a cooler day.

June, July and August are considered the summer months. As you can imagine these months will be the warmest months for your travels. It is hot and humid during the months and temperature ranges from the 90’s down to the 50’s. More outdoor activities can be taken advantage of during the summer because the weather isn’t too extreme. Lighter clothes are suggested and if you get cold easily then a light jacket for the nighttime could be a good thing to bring. Swimming pools are open and outdoor rocking chairs are more enjoyable at this time.
Fall months are considered to be September, October and November. September starts getting cooler at night but a light jacket will do you fine. Temperatures do start decreasing in October with the end of October starting to show signs of “Old Man Winter” coming to Pigeon Forge. Long sleeves are suggested at this time. Don’t be shocked if you visit in November and get a glimpse of snow. The colder temperatures for this month can make snow happen. The weather is still comfortable for shorts at the beginning of fall but by the time November rolls around you’ll be grabbing for your jacket.

This article is a good reference for temperature and weather conditions for the different seasons. A more accurate website is weather.com. They have more up to date weather and is a reliable source. Don’t forget to book your Pigeon Forge cabin rental during the season that seems more appealing to you and your travel companion(s).